Past pupils' fond farewell to former Milne's High School art teacher
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GENERATIONS of past pupils at a Moray school have paid tribute to a former art teacher and local artist who passed away this month.
Popular teacher Bill Smith inspired many children during his three decades at Milne's High School, in Fochabers, between the 1960s to 1990s.
The Urquhart-based artist touched many more people with his landscape paintings and was a respected figure on Moray's art scene. He was a regular exhibitor at local galleries and exhibitions such as those at Elgin Library through the now defunct Moray Arts Club.
Mr Smith died on February 11, aged 87.
He married the love of his life, Clare, in 1961 after the couple met at Edinburgh College of Art in the 1950s.
Clare (82) is a potter and former primary school art teacher. She continues to throw pots at her Urquhart Pottery, established in the early 1980s.
The couple had three children, all of whom have gone on to forge careers in the arts. Julian (55) is a potter working in Ireland, Colin (53) is a painter based in Berlin, and Cornwall-based Esther (52) is an automata and jewellery artist.
Mr Smith, who grew up in Ardrishaig, Argyll, spent many summers running painting holidays in North Uist.
The Hebrides were also the inspiration behind Mr Smith's graphic novel in 2016, titled Katy Egg and the Island of Legends, which featured his grand-daughter, Katy, now 22, as the main character.
Copies of the work were sold through Elgin's Waterstones branch.
For daughter Esther, her dad's graphic novel is the work closest to her heart. She said: "My dad started writing a story for Katy, based on a little girl living on an imaginary island.
"As we live in Cornwall it was his way of keeping in touch. Each frame has his paintings. It took on a life of its own and grew to become a book.
"It's a real treasure now that he's no longer with us."
The family thanked locals for their many kind words and touching memories posted in an outpouring of tributes on social media in response to Mr Smith's death.
Esther said: "The wonderful messages were so heart-warming at such a difficult time and came from people from all walks of life."
Some former pupils told how they had chosen art just to be in Mr Smith's classes, others said the teacher had inspired them to carve out a career in art. Many spoke of Mr Smith's dry sense of humour and gentle manner.
One said: "I often think of things he said and not many teachers have that positive impact on pupils." Another commented that Mr Smith was "a joy to be around in the art department".
Local councillor Marc Macrae (Fochabers Lhanbryde Conservative) said: "I was saddened when I heard of Mr Smith’s passing as he was a very well respected teacher at Milne’s High, and whilst I only took art in S1-S2 he always saw a positive side to my inept ability to even draw a straight line with a ruler, or to find humour in my attempts at pottery.
"He will be very fondly remembered by many former pupils of the school for his kindness, his commitment to education and his passion for art which no doubt encouraged many a student to follow that career path.
"My thoughts are with his family at such a very sad time, but as has been seen on the Milne's former pupil Facebook page he will certainly always be remembered by so many."
Mr Smith spent the last 10 months of his life at Netherha Residential Home, in Buckie.
He leaves behind another two grandchildren besides Katy, Martha Davie (10) and Holly Wade Smith (12).
